Letters To The Editor

February 07, 1997

SOLID LINES CONFUSING

It is against the law to drive your vehicle across a solid painted line on the road. Right? Well, have you noticed the recent paint job on the newly expanded Mercury Boulevard in Hampton? The right lanes for right turns are painted with a solid white stripe from one traffic light back to the next, except for about the first 15 feet that allow hash-marked lines for crossing over to the right turn lane.

If you are entering onto Mercury and take a right turn toward Cunningham Drive, from Armistead Avenue - behold! Don't you dare cross over those bulging barrier marks if you want to get in the right-turn lane. If you are entering from Armistead heading north and take a left-hand turn onto Mercury and want to go into the right turn lane to Cunningham Drive - watch out! You'd better be in the right-turn lane and be prepared for a demolition derby as you enter that little 15-foot opening that allows you into the right-turn lane.

That long solid white line occurs all the way up Mercury between traffic lights. And those who enter from the businesses' driveways are trapped in the right-turn lane because of that solid line. Don't cross that solid line - it's against the law.

Solution: The Hampton safety officer should review the paint job. I suggest the solid line be extended 45 feet from the turning point at major intersections. Hash lines should be continued on back to the next intersection.

Both avoided key issues concerning a parent's right to know if a minor plans to have an abortion. I was particularly disturbed by the tone of the editorial, which implied that this issue is unimportant.

As a parent, I find it imperative that lawmakers respect the right of parents to participate in making decisions concerning surgical medical care offered to children and teens. This is especially important when a child could suffer long-term physical and emotional side effects.

Studies have linked abortion to an increased risk of breast cancer and fertility problems, to emotional distress and to drug and alcohol dependencies. In rare cases, abortion can be life-threatening to the mother. Abortion, by definition, is fatal to the fetus. After an abortion, a young girl must face the pain of this loss.

If a pregnant teen fears that in making her "secret" known she will be physically threatened by a parent, it only makes sense for her to have an option of petitioning the court. But it is a disservice to our daughters for opponents to use this rare instance as a reason for giving the medical community a blanket right to hide from a child's parents a situation that could potentially threaten a young girl's physical and mental well-being.

Our daughters deserve our support and compassion, not the promise of a secret and quick solution that they may later regret.

Pam Scruggs

Williamsburg

PRO-LIFE IGNORED

Pollster Dick Wirthlin has recently released a poll that shows that 48 percent of the United States considers itself to be pro-choice and 47 percent pro-life. If about half of the nation is pro-life, I find it strange that the Daily Press barely had any coverage at all on the pro-life rally in Washington that drew thousands of people.

If that rally had been for any liberal cause, it would have had front-page coverage. But because the peaceful, pro-life folks were defending the 30 million unborn children who have been aborted in this country, they were ignored. Why is this? Why are Americans afraid to speak out in defense of innocent babies brutally murdered every day?

Is it because this is not a politically correct stance? I think America needs to realize that many views that are politically correct are absolutely wrong. Whatever happened to traditional morality? In a day of increasing violent crime, drug use and immorality, Americans needs to become brave and unafraid to speak out for the good that remains in this great land.

Tammy Mattson

Poquoson

REJECT HOCKEY

Many taxpayers and I were hoping another city would beat Hampton Roads and get the hockey team, but it looks like George Shinn and our local gadfly, Barry DuVal, have convinced the National Hockey League money men that Hampton Roads may be a juicier target.

Professional means you make a profit by investing and providing a service. When you ask for support before the fact and $140 million for arenas and infrastructure, that's welfare. Who's bearing the risk?